Premieres Invitation-only Galas and Special Events featuring films from established directors and production.

Dramatic and Documentary Competition One of the best-known/most publicized categories, exclusively featuring films made in the US. 16 Dramatic films and 16 Documentary films compete for Jury and Audience Awards in each category.

American Spectrum Non-competitive section dedicated to promoting American independent film. Eligibility requirements not as strict as the Dramatic & Documentary Competition - films must be American in origin.

World Cinema International films (any film made outside the US). Films compete in two categories, World Cinema and World Cinema-documentaries.

Midnight Screenings Films that play well at midnight. Often edgy, sometimes shocking, most always fun -- a good place to find new cult classics.

Frontier Pushes the perimeters of present day cinema. Encompasses experimental film, media-based performance and a showcase of interactive web projects with narrative and interactive elements.

Shorts From more than 2,000 submissions a year, some 90 shorts are selected to play before features or in one of five programs. This popular and exciting section has launched the careers of many writers and directors.

The Sundance Collection at UCLA Films from a joint partnership between UCLA and Sundance to preserve the history of independent films. These screenings are usually newly preserved or restored works.